Apostle Supper Club across from the Xcel Energy Center to close

Apostle Supper Club is set to close on June The high-profile tiki-themed restaurant across the street from the Xcel Vitality Center which opened in is the latest in a string of restaurant closures in downtown St Paul Co-owner Brian Ingram reported the reasons for closing are a large number of including high crime rates multiple break-ins and overdoses on the restaurant s patio and in its bathroom We are walking away from a million buildout Ingram stated It s not something we re doing lightly It was a lifelong dream to build that style and that restaurant but we can t sustain it Ingram mentioned the busy patio season is coming up and he ll be able to offer jobs to all Apostle employees at his other restaurants which include Hope Breakfast Bar locations all around the metro area including one opening soon in Blaine and The Gnome on Selby Avenue in St Paul Ingram mentioned office workers not returning to downtown and other businesses closing since the pandemic have transformed downtown from a once vibrant neighborhood into a quiet core in dilemma While upwards of percent of downtown residences are occupied one-third of downtown St Paul s commercial office space is vacant according to the mayor s office In latest months Saint Dinette and Dark Horse Bar in Lowertown have closed Wrestaurant at the Palace closed due to a few water damage a limited months ago and has not reopened All of the Madison Hospitality Group restaurants including several on Mears Park in Lowertown and Gray Duck Tavern in downtown proper remain shuttered since the death of owner Jim Crockarell last year Ingram and other restaurant owners including Steve Lott of Big River Pizza in Lowertown have talked about concern for their safety and that of staff members The thought of something happening to one of our staff members when we close really weighs on me Ingram mentioned It s gotten pretty bad St Paul Police explained they re reviewing the situation of the latest Apostle break-in which took place on April as criminal damage to property Overall though crime reports in downtown St Paul have been trending down this year As of Monday according to St Paul Police Department statistics There were crimes against people disclosed vs in the same time period last year There were crimes against property revealed vs in the same period last year There were quality-of-life crimes published vs in the same timeframe last year Still Ingram revealed the city can and should do better In his social media post about the closure he disclosed the following This isn t giving up It s taking a painful honest look at what s working and what s not Right now downtown St Paul solely is not a viable place for small independent restaurants to thrive Mara H Gottfried and Frederick Melo contributed to this analysis Related Articles Brooklyn Park driver charged in Wisconsin crash that killed restaurant owner David Burley Painful shock Twin Cities restaurateurs remember David Burley Family-owned restaurant and recreation complex pitches Apple Valley location Myriel s Karyn Tomlinson and several Minneapolis restaurants nominated for James Beard Awards Taste of Minnesota returning to Minneapolis announces lineup